Im looking into doing the 3.8 v6 swap in my buddies cavy, or my car, depending on funds. problem is, i can only find 3800, 3800 HO GT engines, i cant find the supercharged ones.
The base 3800 is still better then my 2200 or my buddies 2.4, but how much is different between the 3800 HO and the SC?
The standard 3800 Series II isn't much better than the engines in our cars. I have a Buick LeSabre and it has the 3800 but it's not much faster than the Cavy. I think it only makes like 170hp or something like that. If you want an L67 (SC3800) you need to look for a Buick Regal GS, Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Olds Aurora (not sure of model), Impala Police Interceptor, and certain Buick Park Avenue models. There are other cars with the L67 I'm sure but I couldn't think of them. I'm not sure of the power numbers for the HO, but the SC is well over 200hp. 230hp I think, but I may be wrong.
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Johnathan (Der Schlafwanderer) wrote:The standard 3800 Series II isn't much better than the engines in our cars. I have a Buick LeSabre and it has the 3800 but it's not much faster than the Cavy. I think it only makes like 170hp or something like that. If you want an L67 (SC3800) you need to look for a Buick Regal GS, Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Olds Aurora (not sure of model), Impala Police Interceptor, and certain Buick Park Avenue models. There are other cars with the L67 I'm sure but I couldn't think of them. I'm not sure of the power numbers for the HO, but the SC is well over 200hp. 230hp I think, but I may be wrong.
Your LeSabre may not be much faster than the Cavy but think about the weight differences... 3400+ LBS for the LeSabre VS 2600+LBS for the Cavy... Also if the motor is a series II V6 (post 96 3.8L) it has 205 HP and 230 Ft/Lbs (
SPECS FOUND HERE) which is MUCH better than the 2.4L and if it's a Series it has 170 HP and 205 Ft/LBS... and the S/C is 240 HP and 280 FT/LBS...
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Silver_00ZED24 wrote:Your LeSabre may not be much faster than the Cavy but think about the weight differences... 3400+ LBS for the LeSabre VS 2600+LBS for the Cavy... Also if the motor is a series II V6 (post 96 3.8L) it has 205 HP and 230 Ft/Lbs (SPECS FOUND HERE) which is MUCH better than the 2.4L and if it's a Series it has 170 HP and 205 Ft/LBS... and the S/C is 240 HP and 280 FT/LBS...
Which is why I stick to Mitsubishis... I apparently know less about the GMs than I thought! I was sort of guessing on the power numbers but I do know mine is a Series II. It's a 98 for one, and the engine cover has 3800 Series II written on it. But I thought for some reason it was under 200 HP. Knowing the correct HP numbers I would agree it is much better than what the Cavaliers have and makes me a little more willing to admit I own one
Hey, atleast I was in the ballpark on the SC version. I'm not afraid to admit I'm wrong, bro.
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Quote:
2600+LBS for the Cavy
true butthat 2600 pounds is with the 4 cylinder it came with. add the V6 and the weight will jump up some. not sure how much
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my mom's impala has the 3800 series II engine in it. ran a 16.2 in the 1/4 mile at chevy to my 16 flat. in a cavy even the non sc 3800 would rock.
GO PATS!!!
The Redneck wrote:my mom's impala has the 3800 series II engine in it. ran a 16.2 in the 1/4 mile at chevy to my 16 flat. in a cavy even the non sc 3800 would rock.
Yeah, but if you're gonna go through the hassle to put one in it may as be the SC version. Then you could rock hard and not just rock.
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The Redneck wrote:^^point for you.
Score one for the bad guys!
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I have a used one.
Looks like that.
I wondered the same thing too, fitting it into a Cavy. It is not that I don't have the $ or equipment. Just if it is worth my time.
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Yea, ummmm. I used to have a J-body...
ok thanks for the help guys.
Try running a search for 3.8 S/C I know there is a guy from Halifax or something out in Eastern Canada who has installed a 3.8 S/C in his car... Here is his Cardomain.com site...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/526752 He has a great set of installation photos on there as well. I think he might still have it for sale actually...
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ecotec swap is easier and cheaper and with the money you would spend doin that swap you could make the ecotec just as fast
thats what I did
ecotec swap cost me 1100 since I did all the work and
custom turbo kit cost me about another 1000 dollars
that engine would prolly cost you around 5-6 grand to put in your car
$2100 Vs $6,000 you pick
don't get the wrong idea i give mad props for that swap but i don't think it's worth it
If you want to spend 6 grand make your ecotec rwd
The L67 3800 is less than 200lbs heavier than our LD9 2.4TC. So it's not a huge difference.
The non-sc 3800 is the L32 has much weaker internals than the L67, but is otherwise exactly the same. Rotating assembly, cam, and intake are the only differences IIRC.
The HP ratings range from 3.8 Series1 at 170 to 3.8SC Series3 at 240. The Series 2 and 3 SC and be modded to 300+ fairly easily too.
Daniel Alonzo wrote:ecotec swap is easier and cheaper and with the money you would spend doin that swap you could make the ecotec just as fast
thats what I did
ecotec swap cost me 1100 since I did all the work and
custom turbo kit cost me about another 1000 dollars
that engine would prolly cost you around 5-6 grand to put in your car
$2100 Vs $6,000 you pick
don't get the wrong idea i give mad props for that swap but i don't think it's worth it
If you want to spend 6 grand make your ecotec rwd
i can find a 45k miles 3800 here for less then $100 in working condition as oppsed to a $2500- 3000 eco engine used. I think you see why for me its a better choice. Besides, im buying the entire parts car, so i wont be missing anything, and what ever i have left is being sold on ebay.
let's be honest. how many of you guys get erections when you think about having over 200 horsepower in your cavaliers?
lol
i do
Sadly, no more..
I just get in my Laser. And realize I'm throwing 400+ HP around.
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Ha ha The 3800 series 2 makes 195 atleast in 1998 I have one and it says in the book. Not 205 I allway wanted to correct soem one hahaha!!!!
darkblade j
The 3.8 S/C might be a better choice if you want a custom turbo set up as it is an iron block and already has the proper internals. Just try and get ahold of a S/C version and ditch the S/C. It is still a better starting point...
It might be less work if you are more of a fab guy than an experienced engine builder. Plus bragging rights for something few people have. I also know that it is easier to get tuning software and even a custom 2 bar operating system for the 3.8 making it a good choice if you want to go mod happy.
FYI The 3.8L S/C has different cylinder heads than the non S/C version.
Sure, the Ecotec is also a nice option. I have been cruising ebay for awhile and noticed you can now get ahold of the 2.4L 177HP version from Schrams Auto. Everything included even ECM. I wouldn't charge people as much as he wants for his stuff though.
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Yea, ummmm. I used to have a J-body...
There's quite a few questions in this forum on the 3.8L swap:
Active Threads
Archive
Somewhere in there might be a how-to on the swap... if not, run a search for 3.1L and it should be similar.
Daniel Alonzo wrote:ecotec swap is easier and cheaper and with the money you would spend doin that swap you could make the ecotec just as fast
thats what I did
ecotec swap cost me 1100 since I did all the work and
custom turbo kit cost me about another 1000 dollars
that engine would prolly cost you around 5-6 grand to put in your car
$2100 Vs $6,000 you pick
don't get the wrong idea i give mad props for that swap but i don't think it's worth it
If you want to spend 6 grand make your ecotec rwd
I'd do the eco swap with a turbo kit to make it fun.
200lbs on the front of a J is a ton of weight. The engine with it's iron heads make for a high ceter of gravity as well. The car will handle like a pig, but make a great drag car. Maybe you ciould balance the weight with a monster stereo.
I have yet to see a problem free 3800 swap. Most start but never get it buttoned up just right.
You can buy a brand new eco for 2k in the states with warranty. For 4 you can get the cobalts supercharged motor.
Daniel Alonzo wrote:ecotec swap is easier and cheaper and with the money you would spend doin that swap you could make the ecotec just as fast
thats what I did
ecotec swap cost me 1100 since I did all the work and
custom turbo kit cost me about another 1000 dollars
that engine would prolly cost you around 5-6 grand to put in your car
$2100 Vs $6,000 you pick
don't get the wrong idea i give mad props for that swap but i don't think it's worth it
If you want to spend 6 grand make your ecotec rwd
He would spend close the same money either way. And the 3800 has always been used as fwd. No rear end modification needed.
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